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34 matching programs

Program names stay in German because you apply under that name.

GRW – Gewerbliche Investitionsförderung (regionale Wirtschaftsstruktur)

Regional investment grant (federal/state)

Federal states / federal government (joint task)

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
Investment grant for establishing or expanding business premises in structurally weak funding areas; amount depends on region, company size, and jobs.
Requirements
Investment project in a designated GRW funding area, supra-regional sales, creation or safeguarding of permanent jobs. Application before the project starts.
Documents
Application to the responsible state funding agency, investment and financing plan, jobs plan.
How to apply
Direct application to the GRW approval authority of the federal state (development bank/state authority).
Program & documents

Bürgschaft ohne Bank (BoB) / Bürgschaftsbanken

Loan guarantees when collateral is lacking

Bürgschaftsbanken (guarantee banks) of the federal states

FederalnationwideGuarantee
Funding amount
Default guarantees, usually up to 80% of the loan amount, up to €1.25 million (in some cases up to €2.5 million), if standard bank collateral is lacking.
Requirements
Viable project lacking collateral. With BoB, the entrepreneur applies directly, before the meeting with the bank.
Documents
Application to the Bürgschaftsbank (directly or via your house bank), business plan, financing plan, overview of collateral.
How to apply
Via your house bank (Hausbank) or as “Bürgschaft ohne Bank” (guarantee without a bank) directly with the Bürgschaftsbank of the federal state.
Program & documents

Mikromezzaninfonds Deutschland

Silent partnership capital for small businesses

Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaften (MBG, SME equity investment companies) of the federal states

FederalnationwideEquity investment
Funding amount
Silent partnership of up to €50,000 (up to €150,000 for certain target groups) to strengthen economic equity, without additional collateral.
Requirements
Small companies and start-ups, especially businesses founded out of vocational training or unemployment, and businesses that train apprentices.
Documents
Application to the MBG of the respective federal state, business plan, financial planning, annual financial statements/planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft of the federal state (no need to go through your house bank).
Program & documents

Förderung beruflicher Weiterbildung Beschäftigter (Qualifizierungschancengesetz)

Funding for continuing vocational training of employees

Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
Grant towards course fees depending on company size: fewer than 50 employees up to 100%, 50 to 499 employees 50%, 500 or more employees 25%. In addition, a wage subsidy of 75%, 50%, or 25%. With a works agreement or collective agreement on continuing education, plus 5 percentage points in each case; without a vocational qualification, wage subsidy of up to 100%; in companies with fewer than 500 employees, for employees aged 45 or older or with a severe disability, up to 100% of the course fees.
Requirements
Existing employment relationship. Vocational qualification usually at least 2 years ago, no continuing vocational training funded under § 82 SGB III in the last 2 years, course of more than 120 hours, approved provider and approved course (AZAV).
Documents
Application by the employer to the Employer Service of the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) before the training starts, course offer, list of employees.
How to apply
Application by the employer to the Employer Service of the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit).
Program & documents

Bundesförderung Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz in der Wirtschaft (EEW)

Grants and loans for energy-efficient investments

BAFA (grant) / KfW (loan)

FederalnationwideLoanGrant
Funding amount
Grant or low-interest loan with a repayment grant. Funding rates between 10% and 60% of eligible investment costs, depending on module and company size (six modules, including systems, process heat, and optimization).
Requirements
Companies investing in energy- and resource-efficient technologies and processes. Application before the project starts.
Documents
Application via the Förderzentrale Deutschland (grant) or via your house bank (loan), project description, savings calculation, quotes.
How to apply
Grant option via BAFA/the Förderzentrale; loan option (KfW) via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

Mittelstand-Digital Zentren (Nachfolge von go-digital)

Free digitalization support for SMEs

BMWE (federal economics ministry) – nationwide network

FederalnationwideConsulting
Funding amount
Free workshops, demonstrations, AI and digitalization consulting through around 30 centers nationwide (non-cash support instead of a payout).
Requirements
Small and medium-sized enterprises and skilled trades that want to digitalize. No formal funding amount; free support.
Documents
Direct contact with the regionally responsible Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum; no funding application needed.
How to apply
Registration with the regional center via the Mittelstand-Digital platform.
Program & documents

ERP-Förderkredit Digitalisierung & Innovation

Low-interest loan for digitalization and innovation

KfW (via your house bank)

FederalnationwideLoan
Funding amount
Low-interest loan for digitalization and innovation projects (hardware/software, digital business models, AI). Microloans from €25,000, up to €25 million per project, up to 3 repayment-free years (terms as of 2026).
Requirements
Established companies, young companies, and freelancers. Documented financing meeting with your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts; application within 3 months of the project start.
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank), project description, investment/financing plan.
How to apply
House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
Program & documents

INVEST – Zuschuss für Wagniskapital

Grant for business angel investors

BAFA

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
20% acquisition grant for private investors (business angels) plus exit grant; from the company’s point of view, an attractive source of equity.
Requirements
Young, innovative corporation (usually < 7 years old, < 50 employees), registered office in the EEA with a branch in Germany, innovative sector. The investor acquires new shares, minimum holding period 3 years.
Documents
Certificate of eligibility for the company from BAFA, investment agreement, investor’s application.
How to apply
The company applies to BAFA for eligibility; after investing, the investor submits the grant application.
Program & documents

Forschungszulage (steuerliche FuE-Förderung)

Tax credit for research and development

BSFZ (certificate) + tax office

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
25% of R&D expenses (SME bonus: 35%). From 2026, up to €12 million assessment basis = up to €3.0 million (standard) or €4.2 million (SMEs) per year, plus a 20% overhead flat rate.
Requirements
All companies liable to tax in Germany, regardless of size or legal form, with in-house or contract research. Not tied to any sector.
Documents
Two stages: application for a certificate from the BSFZ (review of the R&D content), then application to the tax office with the certificate and proof of expenses.
How to apply
Apply for the certificate from the BSFZ, then assessment by the tax office (offset against tax or paid out).
Program & documents

ZIM – Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand

Federal grants for SME research projects

BMWE (federal economics ministry) / project management agency

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
Non-repayable grant of up to 60% of eligible costs for R&D projects. For individual projects, eligible costs of up to €690,000 per company; for cooperation projects, up to €560,000 per sub-project (guideline V5, valid from 2025).
Requirements
SMEs with up to 499 (in some cases 999) employees, market-oriented R&D on new products or processes. Open to all technologies. Application before the project starts.
Documents
Online outline/application to the ZIM project management agency, project description, cost and work plan, cooperation agreement if applicable.
How to apply
Direct application to the responsible ZIM project management agency; approval before the project starts.
Program & documents

EXIST-Gründungsstipendium

Scholarship for university-based start-ups

BMWE (federal economics ministry) / Projektträger Jülich (via the university)

FederalnationwideConsultingScholarshipGrant
Funding amount
Monthly scholarship: students €1,000, graduates €2,500, PhD holders €3,000, team members with vocational training €2,000 (+€150 per child). In addition, material costs up to €10,000 (individual) / €30,000 (team) and coaching up to €5,000.
Requirements
Innovative, technology-oriented, or knowledge-based start-up idea with a link to a university or research institution. Team of up to 3 people. A university or research institution must be involved as the applicant.
Documents
Application via the university (start-up service), idea paper/business plan outline, CVs, mentor’s commitment.
How to apply
Apply through the university’s start-up service; the university submits the application and manages the funds.
Program & documents

ERP-Kapital für Gründung (058)

Subordinated loan to strengthen equity

KfW (via your house bank)

FederalnationwideEquity investmentLoan
Funding amount
Subordinated loan to strengthen the equity base (liable like equity), without collateral.
Requirements
Start-up or consolidation up to 3 years after starting the business. Adequate own funds (usually at least 10%). Full-time business.
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before starting, business plan, proof of own funds, capital requirements and profitability plan.
How to apply
House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
Program & documents

ERP-Förderkredit KMU / Gründerkredit – Universell

KfW loan for start-ups and SMEs

KfW (via your house bank)

FederalnationwideLoan
Funding amount
Investments and working capital, loan amounts in the millions, long terms, partial liability exemption possible. Better terms in the first years after founding.
Requirements
Founders and established SMEs based in Germany. Creditworthiness assessed by your house bank (Hausbank).
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts, investment/financing plan, annual financial statements or projections, business plan.
How to apply
House bank principle: via your own bank or savings bank.
Program & documents

ERP-Gründerkredit – StartGeld (067)

KfW start-up loan for smaller amounts

KfW (via your house bank)

FederalnationwideLoan
Funding amount
Up to €200,000 (since December 1, 2025; previously €125,000), of which up to €80,000 for working capital. 80% liability exemption for your house bank (Hausbank), up to 2 repayment-free years.
Requirements
Business founders, freelancers, and young companies up to 5 years after founding; also as a side business (with the aim of a full-time business). Credit check by your house bank (Hausbank).
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before the project starts, business plan, capital requirements and profitability planning, CV, personal financial disclosure.
How to apply
House bank principle: application via your own bank or savings bank, which passes the KfW loan on to you.
Program & documents

Einstiegsgeld bei Selbstständigkeit (§ 16b SGB II)

Jobcenter entry allowance for founders

Jobcenter

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
Grant in addition to basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld), amount and duration at the Jobcenter’s discretion (usually up to 24 months); funding for material costs of up to €5,000 also possible.
Requirements
Receipt of basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, SGB II), starting self-employment as the main occupation, viability of the project.
Documents
Application to the Jobcenter, business plan/proof of viability, financial planning.
How to apply
Application to the responsible Jobcenter before starting self-employment.
Program & documents

Gründungszuschuss (§ 93 SGB III)

Start-up grant from the Employment Agency

Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)

FederalnationwideGrant
Funding amount
Phase 1 (6 months): your previous unemployment benefit (ALG I) + €300/month for social security. Phase 2 (9 months): €300/month with proof of business activity. Discretionary benefit (Ermessensleistung).
Requirements
Receipt of unemployment benefit I (ALG I) with at least 150 days of remaining entitlement when starting self-employment, activity as the main occupation, personal and professional suitability, viability certificate from a qualified body (fachkundige Stelle).
Documents
Application to the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit), business plan, viability certificate (IHK, HWK, tax advisor, bank), business registration/tax office registration, CV, proof of qualifications.
How to apply
Application to the responsible Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) before or immediately after starting self-employment.
Program & documents

Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein – AVGS (Gründungscoaching)

Voucher for fully funded start-up coaching

Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) / Jobcenter (§ 45 SGB III)

FederalnationwideConsultingGrant
Funding amount
100% of the coaching costs covered by the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter after written approval; no personal contribution.
Requirements
Unemployed or at risk of unemployment / registered as a jobseeker. Issued at the discretion of the caseworker. Program with an AZAV-certified provider.
Documents
AVGS voucher from the caseworker, provider’s program offer, start-up concept if applicable; billing via the provider.
How to apply
Apply for the voucher at the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter, then redeem it with a certified coaching provider.
Program & documents

Förderung unternehmerischen Know-hows (BAFA)

Grant for business consulting costs

BAFA – Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control

FederalnationwideConsultingGrant
Funding amount
Grant towards consulting costs. Uniform assessment basis of €3,500 per consultation (from 2026 on a gross basis). Funding rate 50% (max. €1,750) or 80% (max. €2,800) in structurally weak regions.
Requirements
SME definition (EU), registered office/business premises in Germany, commercial or freelance. Separate variants for young companies, established companies, and companies in difficulty.
Documents
Online application in the BAFA portal before the consulting starts, consultant from the BAFA register of consultants; after the consulting, proof of use, consulting report, and invoice.
How to apply
Online application to BAFA, consulting by a listed consultant, payout after proof of use.
Program & documents

Thüringen-Dynamik, Thüringen-Invest & Gründerförderung

State loans and grants in Thuringia

Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB)

StateThuringiaGuaranteeLoanGrant
Funding amount
Thüringen-Dynamik (low-interest loans for investments/working capital), Thüringen-Invest (grant for small companies); in addition, guarantees and equity investments.
Requirements
Founders and SMEs with projects in Thuringia.
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the TAB, business plan, investment/financing plan.
How to apply
House bank principle (via your own bank) or direct application to the TAB.
Program & documents

Mikrokredit & Startkapital Schleswig-Holstein

State microloans and start-up capital in Schleswig-Holstein

Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH)

StateSchleswig-HolsteinConsultingEquity investmentLoan
Funding amount
Mikrokredit Schleswig-Holstein and Startkapital programs for start-up and consolidation; in addition, equity investments and consulting.
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Schleswig-Holstein.
Documents
Application to the IB.SH, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the IB.SH or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

ego.-START & IB-Gründungsdarlehen Sachsen-Anhalt

State start-up support and start-up loans in Saxony-Anhalt

Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt

StateSaxony-AnhaltConsultingLoanGrant
Funding amount
ego.-Existenzgründungsoffensive (consulting, coaching, start-up transfer); IB-Gründungsdarlehen 2021-2027 (start-up loan) for founders and young companies (€10,000 to €500,000).
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Saxony-Anhalt.
Documents
Application to the Investitionsbank Sachsen-Anhalt, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the IB Sachsen-Anhalt or via regional partners (ego.).
Program & documents

Gründungs- und Wachstumsfinanzierung Sachsen

State start-up and growth financing in Saxony

Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB)

StateSaxonyEquity investmentLoanGrant
Funding amount
SAB start-up and growth financing, Mikrodarlehen Sachsen (microloans) for small projects; e-business/digitalization and innovation grants.
Requirements
Founders and SMEs with projects in Saxony.
Documents
Application to the SAB, business plan, financing plan.
How to apply
Direct application to the SAB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

Startkapital & Mikrodarlehen Saarland

State start-up capital and microloans in Saarland

Saarländische Investitionskreditbank (SIKB)

StateSaarlandEquity investmentLoan
Funding amount
Startkapital programs and Mikrodarlehen Saar (microloans) for start-up and consolidation; equity investments via Saarland’s investment companies.
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Saarland.
Documents
Application to the SIKB, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the SIKB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

ISB Mittelstandskredit Rheinland-Pfalz

State loan for start-ups and growth in Rhineland-Palatinate

Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB)

StateRhineland-PalatinateGuaranteeLoan
Funding amount
ISB Mittelstandskredit (loan for SMEs, 665/667) for start-up and growth; in addition, guarantees.
Requirements
Founders, freelancers, and SMEs with projects in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the ISB, business plan, financing plan.
How to apply
House bank principle: application through your house bank (Hausbank) to the ISB.
Program & documents

Gründerstipendium NRW & NRW.BANK-Förderung

Founder scholarship and state loans in North Rhine-Westphalia

NRW.BANK / State of NRW

StateNorth Rhine-WestphaliaConsultingLoanGrant
Funding amount
Gründungsstipendium.NRW: €1,200/month per person, for up to 12 months (teams of up to 3 people). In addition, NRW.BANK.Gründung und Wachstum (start-up and growth loan), NRW.Mikrodarlehen (microloan; up to €50,000, without collateral), and growth programs.
Requirements
Scholarship: innovative business idea, very early stage, support from a start-up network in NRW. Loans for founders/SMEs based in NRW.
Documents
Scholarship via a participating start-up network (idea paper, pitch); loans via your house bank (Hausbank) or NRW.BANK with a business plan.
How to apply
Scholarship via a regional start-up network; loans via the house bank principle (through your own bank).
Program & documents

MikroSTARTer Niedersachsen

State microloan for start-ups in Lower Saxony

NBank (Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen)

StateLower SaxonyConsultingLoan
Funding amount
MikroSTARTer Niedersachsen: loan of €5,000 to €40,000 for start-up and consolidation; in addition, funded consulting.
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Lower Saxony.
Documents
Application to the NBank, business plan, financing plan.
How to apply
Direct application through the NBank customer portal.
Program & documents

Mikrodarlehen & Beteiligungen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

State microloans and equity investments in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Landesförderinstitut MV / GSA mbH

StateMecklenburg-Western PomeraniaEquity investmentLoan
Funding amount
Microloans for start-ups and small projects; silent partnerships via the state’s investment companies.
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies with projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Documents
Application to the LFI/GSA, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the state’s funding agencies.
Program & documents

Gründungs- und Wachstumsfinanzierung Hessen (GuW)

State start-up and growth loans in Hesse

WIBank (Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen)

StateHesseGuaranteeLoan
Funding amount
GuW Hessen: low-interest loans with liability exemption for start-up, growth, and succession; in addition, microloans for small projects.
Requirements
Founders, freelancers, and SMEs with projects in Hesse. House bank principle (application via your own bank).
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) before starting, business plan, investment/financing plan.
How to apply
House bank principle via your own bank; some microloans by direct application.
Program & documents

Hamburg-Kredit & InnoFounder

State start-up loans and innovation grants in Hamburg

Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB)

StateHamburgLoanGrant
Funding amount
Hamburg-Kredit Gründung & Nachfolge (low-interest loans); InnoFounder: grant/scholarship for innovative digital start-ups; further innovation and growth programs.
Requirements
Founders and companies based in Hamburg; InnoFounder for innovative projects in the early stage.
Documents
Application to the IFB, business plan/concept, financing plan.
How to apply
Direct application to the IFB Hamburg or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

Gründungs- und Mikrokredite Bremen

State start-up loans and microloans in Bremen

Bremer Aufbau-Bank (BAB)

StateBremenConsultingLoan
Funding amount
BAB start-up loans and microloans for investments and working capital in the state of Bremen; additional consulting services.
Requirements
Founders and small/medium-sized companies based in Bremen/Bremerhaven.
Documents
Application to the BAB, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Direct application to the BAB or via your house bank (Hausbank).
Program & documents

Brandenburg-Kredit für Gründung & Wachstum

State loan for start-ups and growth in Brandenburg

Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB)

StateBrandenburgLoanGrant
Funding amount
Brandenburg-Kredit Gründung: low-interest loans for investments and working capital; additional state grant, innovation, and consulting programs.
Requirements
Founders and SMEs with projects in Brandenburg, viable concept.
Documents
Application via your house bank (Hausbank) or the ILB before starting, business plan, financing plan.
How to apply
House bank principle (via your own bank) or direct application to the ILB, depending on the program.
Program & documents

GründungsBONUS Plus & Förderkredite Berlin

State start-up grant and loans in Berlin

Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)

StateBerlinConsultingLoanGrant
Funding amount
GründungsBONUS Plus: grant for innovative/sustainable start-ups (up to 50% of the eligible costs, max. €50,000); in addition, IBB development loans, digitalization and coaching programs.
Requirements
Young companies and SMEs based in Berlin, with minimum/maximum sizes depending on the program; for the GründungsBONUS Plus, no older than 18 months.
Documents
Online application to the IBB, business plan, cost and financing plan.
How to apply
Direct application to the IBB or via its program portals.
Program & documents

Gründungs- und Wachstumskredit, Digitalbonus & Gründerförderung Bayern

State start-up loans and digitalization grants in Bavaria

LfA Förderbank Bayern / Free State of Bavaria

StateBavariaGuaranteeLoanGrant
Funding amount
LfA Gründungs- und Wachstumskredit (GuW) and Gründungskredit Smart (low-interest loans with liability exemption) for start-up, consolidation, and succession; guarantees; Digitalbonus Bayern as a grant for digitalization (Standard up to €7,500, Plus up to €30,000).
Requirements
Founders and SMEs with business premises in Bavaria, viable concept. House bank principle for loans (via your own bank); Digitalbonus by direct application before the project starts.
Documents
Loan: application via your house bank (Hausbank), business plan, investment/financing plan. Digitalbonus: online application with quotes/project description.
How to apply
Loans via the house bank principle (through your own bank); Digitalbonus via the responsible district government (Bezirksregierung).
Program & documents

Gründungs- und Beratungsförderung Baden-Württemberg

State start-up and consulting funding in Baden-Württemberg

L-Bank / Bürgschaftsbank BW

StateBaden-WürttembergConsultingGuaranteeLoan
Funding amount
L-Bank Startfinanzierung / Gründungsfinanzierung (low-interest loans with liability exemption); ESF consulting vouchers (“Exi-Gründungsgutschein”) for start-up consulting.
Requirements
Founders and SMEs with projects in Baden-Württemberg. Consulting by listed consultants, financing via your house bank (Hausbank).
Documents
L-Bank funding application via your house bank (Hausbank) or consulting application, business plan, financial planning.
How to apply
Financing via your house bank (Hausbank) or the L-Bank, consulting vouchers via the state’s program office.
Program & documents

Related service

BAFA-funded consulting: 50% to 80% grant

BAFA covers 50% to 80% of your consulting costs, depending on company location. We are listed in the BAFA register of consultants and take care of the application and proof of use.

Prefer a Personal Evaluation?

Fill it in within 2 minutes, have your funding potential estimated, and receive a free callback; one of our consultants goes through the programs that suit you with you, step by step.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Funding Finder

Which funding programs does the finder cover?

The finder bundles 34 central programs of the federal government (BAFA, KfW, Employment Agency, ZIM, EXIST, research allowance, and many more) and all 16 state development banks (L-Bank, LfA, IBB, NRW.BANK, NBank …), from consulting through grants and development loans to guarantees and equity investments.

Is the selection binding?

No. The finder is a curated guide. Terms, funding rates, and deadlines change constantly; the linked source of the funding provider is always authoritative. Which programs can actually be combined for your project, we clarify free of charge in the initial consultation.

Can I combine several types of funding?

Often yes, for example funded consulting (BAFA/AVGS) for preparation, a development loan (KfW/state bank) for financing, and a guarantee if collateral is missing. What matters are the cumulation rules and the right order of applications.

I can’t find my program: what now?

The finder shows the most important supra-regional programs. In addition, there are numerous municipal and sector-specific funding pots. Request a personal evaluation or book a free initial consultation, and we will review your specific case.

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